KD Press Release: FOUR LA ATTORNEYS AT KD NAMED 2012 SUPER LAWYERS, Fifth Named a 2012 “Rising Star”

Frances O’Meara, the firm’s Los Angeles Managing Partner and Chair of its Diversity Committee, was recognized as a Super Lawyer in Professional Liability Defense; partner Stephen M. Caine was recognized in Appellate; counsel Nancy Lucas Ezzell was recognized in Professional Liability Defense; and counsel Peter Q. Ezzell was recognized in Civil Litigation Defense. Joel T. Shackelford was named a Rising Star.

Frances O’Meara is a nationally recognized professional malpractice attorney who concentrates her practice in errors and omissions defense for attorneys, accountants, architects, insurance agents, real estate brokers, appraisers, and other professional lines. She is a certified specialist in Legal Malpractice Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and advises professionals and law firms on legal professional and ethical issues, as well as issues relating to risk management and loss control.

A graduate of Loyola of Los Angeles Law School, Ms. O’Meara also handles cyber liability and data breach matters throughout the State of California.

Stephen Caine has been certified as an appellate specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, since 2002. In addition to matters before the federal and state appellate courts, his trial court practice focuses on professional liability defense, primarily for attorneys, accountants, architects and engineers, commercial and corporate litigation, civil RICO and unfair competition claims, insurance “bad faith” actions, toxic exposure claims including asbestos litigation and California’s “Prop. 65,” and general liability tort claims.

A graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, he has authored over 110 appellate briefs and writ petitions on a range of topics, including personal injury litigation, professional liability, real estate law, government tort claims, and commercial litigation.

Nancy Ezzell focuses her practice on the defense of legal malpractice claims, as well as commercial litigation, product liability litigation, and employment matters. Her trial experience includes cases involving professional liability, wrongful death, fraud, and RICO.

Ms. Ezzell has extensive experience in appellate and trial court briefing, including preparing briefs, petitions, motions and pleadings for federal and state courts across the country, including the United States Supreme Court. Her experience includes complex litigation as well as coordination of litigation on a national and regional level.

Peter Ezzell, who has been named to Super Lawyers for the ninth consecutive year, concentrates his practice on matters related to commercial litigation, employment, professional liability and product liability. He is well known for being hired by other law firms to rescue “troubled cases.” His specialty is jury trials, including commercial litigation, product liability, municipal and police agency torts, contractor liability, professional errors and omissions, insurance bad faith, and employment litigation.

The firm’s 2012 Rising Star Joel T. Shackelford concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation and professional liability defense. He also serves as general counsel for various businesses in the distribution, entertainment, real estate, and technology industries.

Mr. Shackelford received his Juris Doctor and Master in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law.

The firm’s Los Angeles office has experienced phenomenal growth over the last year, adding a number of practice areas, particularly those involving litigation. Michael A. Kaufman, KDG’s Managing Partner stated, “This is yet another barometer of the talented attorneys who work at KDG, particularly in the Los Angeles office. Frances has done a tremendous job as its Managing Partner, further enhancing KDG’s eye for attracting top legal talent.”

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi-phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. Rising Stars are selected from among outstanding attorneys younger than 40.

The first Super Lawyers list was published in 1991; by 2009, the rating service had expanded nationwide. In February 2010, Super Lawyers was acquired by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals.

About Kaufman Dolowich Voluck  LLP

Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP (KD) is a national law firm serving the insurance and business communities in a number of practice areas. Our seasoned litigators and legal practitioners place our clients first, think like business people, and provide our clients with viable and innovative solutions that offer them the best resolution possible. Headquartered in Woodbury, New York (Long Island), KD serves our global clientele with additional offices in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Florida. For more information on KD’s practice areas, attorneys, and how we can assist you with your legal matters, http://www.kaufmandolowich.com.

The materials contained in this Announcement are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For advice about a particular problem or situation, please contact an attorney of your choice.